Impulse Assessment of the 3M E-A-R Classic SuperFit 30 Earplug

Abstract

The impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) is the standard measure of attenuation provided by hearing protection devices (HPDs) in response to an impulsive noise. This technical memorandum describes the IPIL testing conducted and the calculated mean IPIL values for the 3M E-A-R Classic SuperFit 30 Earplug (SuperFit 30; Model: 310-1009). Testing was completed in accordance with the ANSI standard S12.42-2010. All device samples were tested at the nominal levels of 150, 160, and 170 decibel peak (dBP, re: 20 Pa). A total of five samples were fitted to an acoustic test fixture two times each for a total of 10 trials per test level. No samples of the HPD were rejected. The mean and standard deviation (SD) IPIL values were 43.1 (2.1) dB SPL at 150 dBP, 44.2 (2.7) dB SPL at 160 dBP, and 44.3 (2.0) dB SPL at 170 dBP (see Table 1). These results suggest that, when properly fit and functional, the SuperFit 30 will adequately protect (i.e., reduce exposure to less than 140 dBP) against impulses below 180.0 dBP.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 14, 2022
Accession Number
AD1156833

Entities

People

  • Alexa H. Kolias
  • Derek W. Schwaller
  • Jacob J. See
  • Jeremy S. Federman
  • Stephanie J. Karch

Organizations

  • Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Compressors
  • Air Pressure
  • Data Acquisition
  • Department Of Defense
  • Ear
  • Filters
  • Free Field
  • Frequency
  • Impulse Noise
  • Insertion Loss
  • Instructions
  • Microphones
  • Shock Tubes
  • Small Arms
  • Test Fixtures
  • Transfer Functions

Readers

  • Acoustics.